NFL Player News

Mafah indicated Friday that he played through a torn labrum in his shoulder during his final college season at Clemson, Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News reports.

The injury may have contributed to Mafah lasting until the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but he's looked good in padded practices since training camp began, using his physicality and vision to produce some chunk plays. He's in line to see a big workload during Saturday's preseason opener against the Rams due to starter Javonte Williams likely being held out and both Miles Sanders (knee) and 2025 fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue (heel) nursing injuries. A big performance from Mafah could create a very interesting battle in the Cowboys backfield between the two veterans and the two rookies ahead of Week 1.

Brown (hamstring) will not participate in Saturday's training camp practice, Martin Frank of The Delaware News Journal reports.

Brown continues to work through a hamstring injury, which caused him to observe Thursday's preseason game against the Bengals on the sidelines. He'll have two more opportunities to see preseason action ahead of the Eagles' regular-season opener against the Cowboys on Thursday, Sept. 4. With Brown and Terrace Marshall (knee) sidelined, Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith will continue to rotate in three-wideout sets with the first-team offense alongside DeVonta Smith and Jahan Dotson.

Larvadain was checked on by trainers for a lower-body injury during the third quarter of Friday's 30-10 preseason win over the Panthers, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Larvadain turned his lone carry into a four-yard touchdown at the 3:55 mark in the third quarter, but he suffered a lower-body injury on the Browns' next possession. He'll undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury, but it puts him in jeopardy of missing Cleveland's second preseason game against Philadelphia on Saturday, Aug. 16. Larvadain also added two catches (on three targets) for 23 yards and turned two punt returns into 38 yards.

Etienne gained three rushing yards on two carries, caught his only target for 14 yards, and added 27 yards on two kick returns in Friday's 30-10 preseason loss to the Browns.

The 2025 fourth-round pick was the third running back into the game for the Panthers after Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle, and while Etienne's varied usage was encouraging, he also muffed a punt deep in Carolina territory at the end of the first quarter that led directly to the Browns' first TD of the game. Raheem Blackshear, Etienne's primary competition for the No. 3 spot on the RB depth chart, handled kick- and punt-return duties for Carolina in 2024 and gained a career-high 936 yards in that role, so the rookie's miscue could weigh heavily on his prospects. Given the draft capital expended on him, Etienne's spot on the 53-man roster is likely secure, but he's got a tough road to carving out any kind of fantasy value.

Thielen brought in his only target for 10 yards in Friday's 30-10 preseason loss to Cleveland.

Thielen made a clean sideline catch in the first quarter before making an early exit with the rest of the first-team offense in Friday's preseason opener. The 34-year-old flirted with the idea of retirement this past offseason before deciding to suit up for at least one more season with the Panthers. Thielen remained productive in 10 active games with Carolina last year, producing a 48-615-5 receiving line over that span. Look for the two-time Pro Bowler to operate as one of quarterback Bryce Young's top targets out of the gate in 2025.

McMillan caught two of five targets for a game-high 43 yards in Friday's 30-10 preseason loss to the Browns.

The eighth overall pick in the 2025 Draft got the start and played the entire first half, but all his production came in the first quarter with Bryce Young under center. The duo connected on a deep shot down the sideline for a 30-yard gain to launch Carolina's second drive of the game, as McMillan beat his man on a jump ball, and he added a 13-yard catch later in the possession for a first down. Young then looked his way in the end zone, but the rookie wideout dropped a sure TD to put a blemish on what was otherwise an impressive introduction to NFL game action. McMillan's two later incompletions came with Andy Dalton under center. Young could be poised for a Year 3 breakout, and McMillan already appears locked in as his top target, setting him up for potentially high volume in the Panthers' passing game.

Corbin had one rushing attempt for one yard and no targets in Friday's exhibition against the Lions.

Corbin was the first back to receive a carry with starter Bijan Robinson and primary backup Tyler Allgeier sitting out Friday's contest. Unfortunately for Corbin, who led the UFL in rushing with 514 yards this past spring as a member of the San Antonio Brahmas, the one-yard tote wound up being the 25-year-old's only touch of the evening. Corbin will look to get more run in next Friday's preseason tilt against the Titans as he attempts to earn a roster spot with Atlanta.

Larison was spotted wearing a walking boot following the Patriots' 48-18 preseason win over the Commanders on Friday, Michael Giardi of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

Larison went back to the locker room shortly after scoring the Patriots' final touchdown of the game at the 3:25 mark in the fourth quarter, per Zack Cox of the Boston Herald. The walking boot might be a precautionary measure. However, he'll undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury, but the undrafted rookie is in danger of missing the Patriots' second preseason contest against the Vikings on Saturday, Aug. 16. Larison finished Friday's game with seven carries for 35 yards and two catches on as many targets for nine yards.

Carter rushed three times for 12 yards and failed to bring in his lone target in Friday's preseason game against the Lions.

Carter wound up leading the Falcons in rushing despite seeing just three carries Friday. Jashaun Corbin received the first carry of the night but gained just one yard on what would be his only tote. Both tailbacks are fighting for reserve spots behind Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier this upcoming season. Carter's next opportunity to showcase his skills this preseason will come against the Titans next Friday.

Dowdle gained seven rushing yards on three carries and caught his only target for 20 yards in Friday's 30-10 preseason loss to the Browns.

The former Cowboy made his debut in a Panthers uniform after signing a one-year contract in March, and Dowdle flashed his three-down skill set by connecting with Andy Dalton on a big gain early in the second quarter. As expected, Dowdle appears to be behind incumbent starter Chuba Hubbard on the depth chart, but with both players having gained over 1,000 rushing yards in 2024 for their respective teams and Dowdle posting better numbers as a receiver, he figures to still have a substantial role in Carolina's offense.